Cleaning tool with rotatable cleaning implement mounting head



Dec. 31, 1963 w. s. MOKINSTRY CLEANING TOOL WITH ROTATABLE CLEANING IMPLEMENT MOUNTING HEAD Filed July 1'7, 1961 INVENTOR.

WiLLiRM 5. Mc KiNsTRY United States Patent 3,115,656 CLEANING T061. Wl'lll ROTATABLE CLEANING llVlPlLEMENT MUUNTHNG HEAD William S. Mcliinstry, 152d Waterbury Road, Lakewood, Ohio Filed July 17, 1961, Ser. No. 125,046 7 Claims. (til. 15-115) This invention relates in general to a cleaning tool, and more particularly to a cleaning too-l having a head portion mounting a plurality of cleaning implements thereon, with the head portion being selectively adjustable or movable to present the selected one of the cleaning implements to the floor surface to be worked upon.

Cleaning tools having a pair of cleaning implements, such as a brush and a sponge, associated therewith, are known in the art. However, in these prior art devices, the construction is generally such that it is somewhat awkward and difficult to present the desired implement on the tool to the floor surface. The usual construction of such a cleaning tool is a head, stationary with respect to an operating handle, with the cleaning implements being mounted on the head in a manner whereby angling of the handle in a predetermined direction presents a desired cleaning implement in position to accomplish the desired cleaning operation on the surface to be cleaned.

The present invention provides a cleaning tool having a head mounting a plurality of cleaning implements thereon, such as a brush, a sponge, and a squeegee device, and wherein the head is adjustable or rotatable with respect to the operating handle of the tool, for providing for selectively presenting the desired implement on the tool .to the surface to be cleaned, together with novel 1ocking means for releasably holding the head in selected position.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement of cleaning tool.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning tool having a plurality of cleaning implements mounted thereon, and in a manner whereby a selected cleaning implement can be readily presented to the surface to be cleaned.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning tool of the above type, wherein the head of the tool, mounting the cleaning implements thereon, is rotatable with respect to the operating handle of the tool, and including novel means for holding or locking the head in its selected rotated position, and for readily releasing the head from locked condition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning tool of the above type, which is effective in operation, simple in construction and economical to manufacture, and which provides for the effective and efficient utilization of a plurality of cleaning implements associated with the head of the tool.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view of the cleaning tool of the invention, with the handle of the tool having been partially eliminated;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of the FIG. 1 arrangement, and illustrating in particular the locking mechanism for releasably holding the head of the cleaning tool in selected position with respect to the operating handle of the tool;

FIG. 3 is a vertical, sectional view of the head of the tool taken generally along the plane of line 3-3 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an arm portion of the handle of the cleaning tool.

Referring now again to the drawings, the cleaning tool ice comprises a head It}, which may be of the elongated block-like configuration illustrated, and an operating handle 12; including yoke portion 13 attached to the head 10. The yoke portion 13 may comprise a socket l4 detachably receiving therein the elongated handle 16, and arm portiorrs 18, 18a mounting the head 10. Web 20 may be provided for strengthening the yoke portion 13.

Head 10 may have a plurality of cleaning implements mounted thereon, such as for instance a sponge Z2, brush 2d, and 'a squeegee 26. It Will be seen that the brush may be utilized to scour the surface to be cleaned and remove particles therefrom which have adhered to the surface, while the sponge may be utilized to spread and remove cleaning liquid, and to more readily clean the remainder of the surface, while the squeegee may be used to scrape waste cleaning water from the surface. The sponge member 22 may be conveniently mounted on the head by means of a generally U-shaped holder element 30, secured as by means of screws or the like to head 10, and having indentations or partially severed barbs 32 projecting inwardly with respect thereto, to reieasably hold or grip the sponge member 22.

The brush member 24 may be secured to the head 10 merely by means of screws, or the like, passing through the base 34 of the brush member into the head.

The squeegee member as may be secured to the head as by means of an L-shaped holder element 38, mounted on the head as by means of screw or threaded elements, and holding the resilient blade of the squeegee 26 by conventional fastener means.

In accordance with the instant invention, the head 10 is movable or rotatable with respect to the handle 12. Thus it can be seen that rotation of the head may be accomplished to provide for the selected cleaning implement (i.e. 22, 24 or 26) to be disposed in confronting relation with respect to the surface to be cleaned, and in proper orientation with respect to the operating handle of the cleaning tool. The arm elements 18, 18a of the yoke portion 13 of the handle are each provided with an opening 42 therein, which opening is of polygonalshaped configuration, and the head It) is provided with laterally projecting trunnion elements 43 secured thereto, which are of a generally similar configuration as that of the opening in the corresponding arm element of the yoke of the operating handle, and which trunnions are axially movable with respect to the associated openings 42. Each of the trunnion members 43 has provided thereon a rounded or circular portion 44, but such portions 44 are ordinarily held out of disposal in the associated opening 42 in the corresponding arm 18, 18a by means of compression spring 46, which is operative between arm 13a and a plate or abutment 43 mounted on the end of associated trunnion 43. Thus it will be seen that the head 10 is normally disposed in locked or non-rotatable condition, since the polygonal or multi-surfaced portions of the trunnions are disposed in the complementary configured openings 42 in the handle portion, thereby preventing rotation of the head with respect to the handle. However, when it is desired to rotate the head and present a different cleaning implement to the floor surface, an operator may grasp knob 50 secured to one end of associated trunnion 43, and apply axial pressure against the resistance to compression of spring 46, until the circular or rounded portions 24 of the trunnions are moved into alignment in the openings 42 in arm portions 18 of the yoke bracket, whereupon the head may be rotated until the desired cleaning implement is in the desired operative position with respect to the handle 12, at which time the knob can be released and the spring 46 causes the non-circular portions of the trunnions to be moved back into the openings in the corresponding arms of the yoke,

3 thereby once again locking the head in the selected position.

It Will be seen that the rotation or movement of the head to present the proper working implement or tool ,to the floor surface, is readily obtainable by merely applying axial pressure to the head, and the implement which is positioned for engagement with the surface to be cleaned, can be rapidly changed on the cleaning tool of the invention. It will also be seen that it is preferable that very little, if any clearance exists between the head and arm 13a, in order to limit axial movement of the head in the locked condition thereof.

The head 12 of the tool may be conveniently and economically formed of wood, plastic or the lilre, and the yoke may be formed of metal or plastic, to provide an economically desirable arrangement. While the openings 42 and trunnions 43 have been shown as being rectangular in cross section, it will be understood that they could be of other polygonal configurations (e.g. triangular, octagonal, etc.) for mounting a lesser or a greater number of cleaning implements on the head.

From the foregoing discussion and accompanying drawings it will be seen that the invention provides a novel cleaning tool having a plurality of cleaning implements mounted thereon and whereby the tool can be moved or adjusted so a selected one of the cleaning implements can be readily presented to the surface to be cleaned, together With a novel means for locking the tool in the selected position, and embodying readily releasable means associated with the locking means for releasing the tool from locked condition, so that another of the cleaning implements can be moved into confronting relation with the surface to be cleaned.

The terms and expressions which have been used are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and

there is no intention in the use or" such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents or" any of the features shown or described, or portions thereof, but it is said arms for rotation of said head with respect to said arms, at least one of said trunnions having an exterior configuration which is complementary to said one opening and being received therein to normally prevent rotary movement of said head with respect to said arms, said head and trunnions being axially movable between said arms, and means on said one trunnion adapted for disposal in the associated opening upon predetermined axial movement of said head and trunnions, to permit said rotation of said head with respect to said arms.

2. A tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein the last mentioned means comprises a cylindrical-like portion on said one trunnion.

3. A tool in accordance with claim 1, including spring means for normally maintaining the last mentioned means out of the associated opening.

4. A tool in accordance with claim 1, including a knob portion on the other trunnion for readily moving the head and trunnions axially between said arms.

5. A tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein said head is of block-like configuration having a plurality of axially extending, generally planar surfaces thereon, and wherein the implements comprise a sponge, a brush, and

A a squeegee device, each of said implements being mounted on a separate surface of said head.

6. A cleaning tool comprising an operating handle, said handle including a yoke portion having laterally spaced generally parallel extending arms thereon, said arms having aligned openings therethrough, at least one of said openings being of a polygonal shaped configuration, a head including outwardly projecting trunnions, with the trunnions being mounted in the openings in said arms, said head being adapted to mount a plurality of cleaning implements thereon in circumferentially spaced relation about said head, with such cleaning implements being adapted for selective presentation to a surface to be cleaned upon predetermined rotation of said head, at least one of said trunnions being formed complementary in exterior configuration to said polygonal shaped opening and being received in the latter, to normally prevent rotation of said head with respect to said arms, said head being of such length so as to be movable axially between said arms, means on said one trunnion adapted for disposal in the associated opening upon axial movement of said head for permitting rotation of said head with respect to said arms, means for normally maintaining the first mentioned means out of the associated opening, and means on the other of said trunnions for manually moving the head and associated trunnions axially between said arms.

7. A cleaning tool comprising an elongated operating handle, including a yoke portion having laterally spaced parallel extending arms thereon, each of said arms having a polygonal shaped opening therethrough, a head including outwardly projecting trunnions at each end of said head, with the trunnions being received in said openings and mounting said head on the handle, said head being of block-like configuration comprising a plurality of axially extending defining surfaces, said head surfaces being adapted to mount a plurality of cleaning implements thereon in spaced relationship therearound, the cleaning implements being adapted for selective presentation to a surface to be cleaned upon predetermined rotation of said head, said trunnions being formed complementary in exterior configuration to the configuration of said openings, said head surfaces being of the same number of the defining surfaces of each of said openings, said head and trunnions being movable axially between said arms, each of said trunnions having a reduced size, circumferential rounded portion thereon, resilient means normally coacting between one or" said arms and an abutment on the associated one of said trunnions to normally References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 612,896 1898 845,928 1907 2,413,854 Berger Jan. 7, 1947 2,534,086 Vosbikian et a1 Dec. 12, 1950* FOREIGN PATENTS 213,674 Australia May 10, 1956 536,109 Germany Oct. 19, 1931 1,163,191 France Apr. 21, 1958 

1. A CLEANING TOOL COMPRISING A HANDLE INCLUDING A YOKE PORTION HAVING LATERALLY SPACED ARMS THEREON, EACH OF SAID ARMS HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN WITH AT LEAST ONE OF SAID OPENINGS BEING POLYGONAL SHAPED, A HEAD, A PLURALITY OF SPACED CLEANING IMPLEMENTS MOUNTED ON SAID HEAD, SAID HEAD INCLUDING OUTWARDLY PROJECTING TRUNNIONS RECEIVED IN SAID OPENINGS AND SUPPORTING SAID HEAD ON SAID ARMS FOR ROTATION OF SAID HEAD WITH RESPECT TO SAID ARMS, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID TRUNNIONS HAVING AN EXTERIOR CONFIGURATION WHICH IS COMPLEMENTARY TO SAID ONE OPENING AND BEING RECEIVED THEREIN TO NORMALLY PREVENT ROTARY MOVEMENT OF SAID HEAD WITH RESPECT TO SAID ARMS, SAID HEAD AND TRUNNIONS BEING AXIALLY MOVABLE BETWEEN SAID ARMS, AND MEANS ON SAID ONE TRUNNION ADAPTED FOR DISPOSAL IN THE ASSOCIATED OPENING UPON PREDETERMINED AXIAL MOVEMENT OF SAID HEAD AND TRUNNIONS, TO PERMIT SAID ROTATION OF SAID HEAD WITH RESPECT TO SAID ARMS. 